Our View: Time is running out for those still without health insurance

Sunday

Mar 30, 2014 at 2:01 AM

The White House has extended the enrollment period to sign up for health insurance into next month, but procrastinators beware, Connecticut’s deadline is not being extended. It remains at midnight Monday.

Connecticut is among of a handful of states operating its own health exchange, and among the few that have successfully surpassed its goal of signing up individuals. The original goal was 100,000, and as of Friday, more than 170,000 had signed up through the Access Health CT exchange.

And with as many as 1,500 to 2,000 individuals per day accessing the exchange’s web site this past week, 185,000 is not out of reach.

Although the federal rollout of the Affordable Care Act’s enrollment in states that opted not to set up their own exchanges was marred with computer woes from the onset, Connecticut’s exchange has served as a model program – and will likely be duplicated in other states by the time the next enrollment period rolls around in November.

The national goal was to sign up 7 million, but that may not happen. It’s now estimated that 6 million will ultimately be enrolled when all is said and done. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 24 percent of those enrolled are in the 18- to 34-year-old range. The hope was that age group would account for 35 to 40 percent of enrollments.

CT success

Of the 170,000 Connecticut residents who signed up, 62 percent qualified for the state’s Medicaid program and 38 percent – roughly 65,000 – purchased health care coverage from one of the three private insurers offering plans through the exchange – ConnectiCare, HealthyCT and Anthem.

Nearly 73 percent of all enrollees also qualified for subsidies. And for some who already had insurance, the policies offered through the exchange were less expensive.

There are financial penalties for those who miss Monday’s deadline, $95 or 1 percent of household income – whichever is greater.

Is it worth it?

There is some speculation that considering the numerous exemptions already granted and delays in implementing the program the administration may ultimately waive the penalties, at least for this first year.

There is precedent for that. In 2006, President George W. Bush not only waived the penalties for seniors who missed the enrollment deadline for the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, he, too, extended that enrollment deadline.

But a waiving penalties is just speculation at this point. Is it worth the risk?

Monday is the deadline for individuals, businesses can sign up through the calendar year. For individuals who have waited until the last minute, there are several options available.

The various insurance plans being offered through the exchange can be reviewed and purchased online at Access Health CT’s web site (www.accesshealthct.com). It takes about an hour to complete the process.

For those who would feel more comfortable with one-on-one assistance from a qualified enrollment counselor, the exchange is extending its call center hours (855-805-4325) and two enrollment centers in New Britain and New Haven, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, 8 a.m to midnight Monday.

There are also enrollment fairs being held Monday, including two here in Eastern Connecticut: United Community and Family Services at 47 Town Street in Norwich, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at Generations Family Health Center, 40 Mansfield Avenue in Willimantic, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.